Capitol To Courthouse Headliners: Friday, June 5
Jun 5, 2009
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Rep. Proctor spars over insurance dereg bill
As Gov. Charlie Crist decides whether to sign a bill (HB 1171) that would allow some large property insurance companies to raise rates without state regulatory approval, the measure’s sponsor has written to Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty to make several points about the bill.
Florida’s Crist Caught Between Dueling Officials on Insurance Deregulation
If Florida Gov. Charlie Crist vetoes a bill designed to deregulate pricing for large national property insurers as appears likely, he will be siding with an appointed official over an influential lawmaker.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Alleges Discrimination by Life Insurer Liberty National
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty has ordered Liberty National Life Insurance Co. (Liberty National) to show cause why its license should not be suspended or revoked for alleged violations of Florida law relating to unlawful discrimination based on national origin or potential travel plans.
Higher insurance rates blow in with storm season
Homeowners in Florida and elsewhere have been socked with increased premiums, and some have been dropped by their insurance carriers.
With the 2009 hurricane season now here, many homeowners are finding insurance is either more expensive, or harder to get.
Federal disaster monies extend to Volusia mosquito spraying, other costs
FEMA declaration also covers public costs in 4 other counties
Federal officials on Thursday extended a disaster declaration for last month’s massive flooding event, approving federal funding for government expenses in Volusia, Flagler and three other counties.
Letter: Insurance zaps Florida’s appeal
Well, can things get worse for Florida? It seems so.
Family to get $9.5 million from state
Deception by state social service workers put Debbie and Jorge through a long nightmare — leaving them the adoptive parents of three sexually traumatized boys who went on to molest other children and kill the family’s pets.
Another round of Chinese drywall testing nearly complete in Florida
The Florida Department of Health is nearly complete with another round of drywall testing aimed at zeroing in further on what contaminants in Chinese wallboard may be responsible for emitting volatile sulfur gases.
Top minds meet in Orlando over Chinese drywall
Attorneys from all sides of the tainted Chinese drywall issue descended Thursday on Orlando for a two-day conference dedicated to the growing problem — now apparently international — and the lawsuits stemming from it.
Editorial: Keep hardening houses
It’s understandable, even commendable, that the Florida Legislature cut expenses during its recently completed session.
Officials warn of hurricane-related scams, price gouging
Part of preparing for hurricane season means watching out for storm-related scams, state officials and American Red Cross officials warned this week.
Crist signs measure relaxing property appraiser protections
Property tax easier to challenge
Looking very much like a candidate for U.S. Senate, Gov. Charlie Crist stepped before the TV cameras today to sign a bill that will make life easier for disgruntled property owners who challenge their tax bills.
West Palm Beach girl hurt by Listerine mouthwash, federal suit alleges
When Kayla Hess, then 10 years old, used Listerine Agent Cool Blue mouthwash in 2007, she became ill with repeated strep throat infections and stomach cramps.
Court rejects Lake Okeechobee backpumping ban
Water managers may pump canal water into Lake Okeechobee even if it’s contaminated, an appeals court ruled.
A federal appeals court on Thursday reversed a Miami judge’s ruling that Florida water managers violated the Clean Water Act by pumping contaminated water from farmland into Lake Okeechobee.
Counties meet to discuss session’s impact
Traversing Florida spreading the word about political matters has been en vogue since Lawton Chiles won a U.S. Senate seat in 1970.
State Sen. Dave Aronberg’s bid for attorney general means the Democrats’ primary will be expensive
Democratic state Sen. Dave Aronberg jumped into the race for attorney general Thursday, setting the stage for a competitive primary Democratic leaders had hoped to avoid.
Poll: McCollum and Sink neck and neck for gov
A new statewide poll shows Attorney General Bill McCollum and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink in a virtual tie for governor nearly a year and a half before the 2010 November election.
Judge James E.C. Perry Invested as Florida Supreme Court Justice
Governor Charlie Crist today celebrated the investiture of Justice James E.C. Perry to the Florida Supreme Court. Justice Perry was Governor Crist’s fourth appointment to the seven-member high court and has been serving since March 11, 2009.
Florida finalizes settlement with JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase & Co. will pay a $1.3 million fine to the state of Florida under a consent agreement in a case involving auction rate securities.
Ground is broken for Miami-Dade’s first casino
Miami-Dade County horse racing fans will soon be able to expand their gambling beyond betting on horses, as ground was broken for the county’s first casino.
Fla. Lottery to try vending machines — again
Construction worker Anthony Carey usually gets $50 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets once a week at the convenience store where he gasses up, but he says that’ll probably change when Florida reintroduces vending machines later this year in supermarkets.
Sen. King undergoes successful surgery to remove tumor
Sen. Jim King, diagnosed last month with pancreatic cancer, on Thursday underwent a lengthy surgery at Mayo Clinic in his Jacksonville district to remove the cancerous tumor.
Corps: Costs for New Orleans storm surge barrier work rises
Top brass at the Army Corps of Engineers say the estimated price of a major project to build three floodgates and a 1.8-mile storm surge barrier to protect New Orleans from hurricanes is now $1.8 billion.
Pilings are driven into Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, a step in enhancing storm surge protection
A huge crane began driving pilings Thursday at the southern edge of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, the first step in building a 150-foot-wide barge gate — part of a giant concrete barrier designed to keep storm surge from entering the Industrial Canal from Lake Borgne.
Families settle lawsuits in deadly Hurricane Rita evacuation bus fire
The families of 23 nursing home patients who died in a bus explosion as they fled Hurricane Rita have reached settlements totaling $80 million.
Texas GOP Vows to Keep Insurance, Transportation Departments Open
Republican leaders in the Texas Legislature have promised that insurance regulation, roadbuilding and other government functions will continue in Texas despite lawmakers’ failure to pass a measure preserving the agencies that deliver those services.
A.M. Best Releases Interactive 2008 World Catastrophe Map Online
The A.M. Best Co. has introduced an interactive world catastrophe map of 2008’s top insured loss events at www.bestreview.com.
U.S. admin. briefs lobbyists on insurance, sources say
Insurance industry reform was scheduled to be the chief focus of a briefing scheduled for Thursday evening by Obama administration officials to financial industry lobbyists, said sources familiar with the agenda.
Obama cranks up financial reform drive
The Obama administration stepped up its push for tougher bank and financial firm rules on Thursday, scheduling a briefing for lobbyists, with a focus on insurance oversight, and sending a top regulator to a Senate hearing to discuss plans for regulating derivatives markets.
Sen. Herbert Kohl has introduced a bill, S. 1177, that would press state regulators to create uniform long term care insurance solvency and consumer protection rules.
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